Morocco Deepens Security Ties With Israel Amid Gaza War
The article criticizes the Moroccan government for deepening its security and military cooperation with Israel, particularly during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The author argues that this move is a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and the Arab and Islamic nations, especially given Morocco's historical and religious ties to Jerusalem, with the King holding the title of "Commander of the Faithful" and Morocco heading the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Al-Quds Committee.
The author contrasts Morocco's actions with those of Spain, which has taken strong stances against Israeli policies, including recognizing Palestine and imposing arms embargoes. The piece traces the history of Moroccan-Israeli relations from secret security cooperation in the 1960s to the formal normalization under the Abraham Accords in December 2020, followed by defense and military memorandums of understanding in 2021 and 2022. This escalation, the article contends, transforms the relationship from mere normalization to a component of Morocco's security and military infrastructure.
The article laments the broader trend of Arab regimes prioritizing strategic alliances and security protection from major powers over historical commitments to the Palestinian cause. It also criticizes internal political dynamics within the Arab world, including the Moroccan Islamist Justice and Development Party's shift from opposing normalization to participating in it while in government. The author calls for a comprehensive review of Arab regimes, leftist movements, nationalists, and Islamists for their failures in confronting oppression and building a unified, democratic Arab project.
Ultimately, the piece suggests that the defense of human values and principles like justice and freedom is becoming a global, not just Arab or Islamic, issue. It highlights that significant moral and political action is emerging from Western countries, civil society movements, and individuals worldwide, who are taking a stand against the occupation and the war in Gaza, often more assertively than some Arab governments.
